June 11, 2013

Running in the rain

I had such a fun run yesterday! Remember those words, because I probably won't write them again for another three years or so ;)  It was raining all day yesterday, and normally when it's raining, I'll just run on the treadmill or wait until later.

When I'm out for a run, and it starts to rain, I really don't mind it; but to get motivated to go out and run while it's already raining is very difficult, so I don't do it often. Yesterday, though, I actually was in the mood to run in the rain.

After breakfast, I got my running clothes on and headed outside for a four-miler at an easy run pace (8:55-9:53/mi). Something about running in the rain makes it so much more fun! While most people cover their heads and run from their cars to their houses, I was out running--voluntarily--for four miles.

About a mile in, it really started pouring down. I kind of wished I had worn a visor, so I could keep my eyes open, but the rain felt really good. I was completely soaked. I wasn't really paying much attention to my pace, but when I got home, I was SHOCKED at how even my splits were...


9:00, 8:59, 9:00, 9:00... I couldn't do that again if I tried! It's rare that I have a run where I truly enjoy the actual running part, but yesterday was definitely one of those times. I'm going to make it a point to go for a run in the rain again.


Like I mentioned yesterday, Jerry and I wanted to do something fun with the boys. Because it was raining, our options were limited. They said they wanted to go to Jungle Java, this place about an hour away that is a huge jungle gym for kids along with a coffee house for the parents. It's geared toward young kids, and the last time we were there, my kids were about 5 and 4 years old. I really didn't think they would like it, but they had it in their mind that it was awesome, so I said we could go.

I told Jerry that I bet they wouldn't last 20 minutes. It costs $7 per kid to go in, and I knew I might as well have been flushing those dollars down the toilet, but I knew that if we didn't go, they'd ask about it all summer long. When we went inside, the boys took off to play, and I told Jerry, "Let's set the stopwatch and see how long they last before they want to leave. I bet it's less than 20 minutes!"


This is how long we stayed! Noah was done after about 15 minutes, and Eli was ready shortly after. They said they have no desire to go back again.

The good news was that we saw a frozen yogurt place called Menchies in the same complex as Jungle Java, so we went there to see how much fro-yo and toppings we could fit into four cups ;)  It was SO good--much better than the place Jerry and I went to after La Pita recently!

I had to buy some bridal shower prizes from IKEA for Jerry's sister, so we stopped in there. The boys saw a desk that they wanted to buy for their bedrooms. They didn't have enough money, but Jerry and I thought it was a good thing for them to buy (rather than candy and other crap), so we helped each of them to buy a desk and a chair.

On the way home, we stopped for dinner at Red Robin. I knew I had an extra 23 PointsPlus to use up, so I wasn't TOO worried about going over my PointsPlus. I ordered the Onion Onion Burger, which was really good! When I got in the car, I looked up the PointsPlus, and it was 37 PP! I went way over for the day, and therefore, the week.

But I really don't feel badly about it, because it wasn't a binge and it wasn't emotional eating. It was just a dinner out with my family, which we don't do very often.  When we got home, Jerry started putting Eli's desk together, and Noah decided he wanted to try putting his own together. He did a great job! He followed the instructions right to the letter, and did the whole thing himself.


This morning, I woke up STILL feeling congested. It's getting a little better, though. I had intervals on the schedule today: 4 x 800 in 3:34-3:45 (which basically means four half-mile intervals at a pace of 7:08-7:30/mi) with a quarter mile jog in-between. When I looked at it on paper, it didn't seem that difficult, but it was a tough run!

I did the run on the treadmill, because it's much simpler to do intervals on the treadmill to keep a consistent pace.
I started with a half-mile warm-up at 6.2 mph.
Ran at 8.4 mph for 1/2 mile.
Ran at 5.5 mph for 1/4 mile.
(Repeat three more times for four intervals total)

That worked out to be 3.5 miles in 29:51. It was harder than I anticipated, and it felt good to get that done!

16 comments:

  1. You've inspired me to do my run today! I was putting it off because it's been raining all day here, but when I get home from work I'm going to head out :)

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  2. My splits are never that even either. That is awesome. Usually when I do 3 miles it's like 10:02, 9:48, 10:00 or something like that. All over the place. I think it depends on which route I go and the hills that are in different directions. I rarely ever run in the rain, and it's not that I'd mind it (as long as it weren't a torrential downpour or super cold) but I wear glasses, and the couple times it started raining when I was out, it drove me nuts because I couldn't see. I LOVE Red Robin! Now I want to go really bad. :) Your kid is smarter than me. I SUCK at putting stuff together and I always make my husband do it. lol I am still congested too, but feeling much better. I was going to skip out on exercising today, but I felt so good later in the morning, so I went for a short run, but after 2 miles I felt like crap. It was so hot and I kept coughing, so I ran 2 and walked a mile after that. It's supposed to be 94 tomorrow, so I will not be running outside. I will probably go to the gym or do a dvd.

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  3. I ran in the rain the other day too, and it felt fabulous! It keeps you nice and cool, and makes you feel like a total bad ass :)

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  4. AnonymousJune 11, 2013

    I love going out in the rain. However, I live in New Mexico... It does not happen often. Currently I am debating going out in the smoke or not. Hateful question - but when there is a 20,000 acre fire burning in the woods, about 10 miles from your house, if the wind blows the wrong direction - you feel like you are living in a large campfire. :(
    I envy your rain run, it sounds WONDERFUL! :) If you could send some of that water our direction, we'd appreciate it. :)

    NNMSunshine

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  5. Menchies is AWESOME! I generally get cheesecake or some cake flavored froyo and top it with almonds and cookie dough pieces.

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  6. My daughter has started asking for a desk now too :) I'm a little worried we go out and get one for her and then it becomes a clutter and dust collecting station with her ... ha ha

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  7. Stephanie O'NeillJune 12, 2013

    We have Menchies were I live too (Toronto, ON) and I love it - I find it can be hard to measure a portion and to stay in control with all the wonderful toppings available lol I haven't been since last summer and I may have to make it my treat when I hit my mileage goals for a few weeks :)

    Question: How do you eyeball a serving size - I always seem to under estimate what I actually have and that makes me nervous to eat out (esp. at a place like Menchies).

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  8. AnonymousJune 12, 2013

    I like running on the rain when it is warm enough. It POURED when I ran on Monday too so I was glad for my visor but I loved it!

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  9. I've run in the mist, but that's it. I'm a big weather baby!

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  10. I ran yesterday in the rain, too! There is nothing more refreshing!

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  11. I have that desk in white and I'm using it as a night stand since my bed is so tall and I absolutely love it!!! Your boys have great taste :) And I'm super impressed that Noah did it all by himself. I had to take it apart and redo the drawer tracks that i put on wrong. So Way to go!

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  12. Your kids seem so mature for how old they are. That's great that he put that desk together all on his own!

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  13. I usually don't enjoy any of my workouts until they're over! Thats my favorite thing about running and hot yoga--the feeling I get once I finish.

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  14. I just wanted to say that I LOVE your attitude about having gone over on your PointsPlus! Even when I go over accidentally, I somehow find a way to regret it. Your response to having gone over is inspiring me to try to be more forgiving with myself! So thank you! :-)

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  15. Haha, those are crazy even splits. I don't think I've ever been that consistent outside. Running in the rain can be fun, I agree... but you do have to be in the mood otherwise it sucks! :)

    Menchies is DELICIOUS. It's a huge hit with my running group... we often blow all the calories we just burned by going there after.

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  16. I love running in the rain, too! It's one of my favorites!

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